RUSAL Conakry port activities cleared to resume

Reuters reported that the landing operations and alumina storage activities at Conakry port of Russian aluminum giant RUSAL have been cleared to resume.

Authorities in the resource rich West African state sent security forces to halt RUSAL's alumina exports from the port following a row over pollution caused by the firms activities.

Guinean officials had insisted that export restrictions will remain in place until a solution to pollution from alumina dust had been found. The letter dated March 4 from Guinea's national environment directorate to the commander of the police unit that sealed RUSAL port facilities, temporarily lifted the stop order while the parties seek a solution.

Mr Safiatou Diallo national director of environment said that "Following a March 1 memorandum on the closure of RUSAL facilities, hereby I authorize the reopening for loading and unloading of soda maintenance and administrative work.

He said that as for the loading of boats, a committee will be formed by the environment ministry to inspect measures put in place so as to mitigate the soaring dust pollution so as to temporarily enable export operations.

RUSAL said that the dispute was due to a misunderstanding and that operations both at its 640,000 tonnes per year capacity Friguia alumina refinery and at Conakry port had not been affected.

(Sourced from Reuters)